Foreigners to get German Citizenship in 3 to 5 Years

Foreigners to get German Citizenship in 3 to 5 Years

Seeking to address the labour market shortage, Germany is creating a long-term strategy that will strengthen the immigration system. The country has announced the grant of dual citizenship, with the offer of a German passport, to foreigners who are particularly well integrated in just three years.  

Labour Minister Hubertus Heil felt that “for many businesses, the search for skilled labour is now an existential question.” He further opined that Germany is in dire need of skilled labour, needed to manage the digitisation of the economy and the shift towards becoming climate-neutral. 

By the year 2026, he felt, there might be a shortfall of around 240,000 skilled workers. Some of the factors contributing to this shortage are the digital transformation of the economy, the aftermath of the pandemic and the impacts of the Ukraine war.  

In order to ride through these challenges and to address the workforce shortage, the federal government is going ahead with its mission to make Germany an attractive immigration destination for skilled workers. As part of a major overhaul of the country’s immigration policies, they are attempting to lure foreign talent with the offer of a German passport and dual citizenship, designed to modernise residence and nationality laws and make procedures faster and easier. 

The key mission statement of the government’s new skilled labour strategy is that “Germany must be an immigration country that is also attractive in the international competition for skilled workers.”  

Current citizenship laws are sought to be changed so that, in future, skilled workers would be able to apply for naturalisation after five years. For those who have completed “special integration measures”, naturalisation would even be possible after three years. These measures might include, among others, things like completing an integration course or getting German language certification. 

Interested in moving your career to Germany? Do connect with the MWT Global Consultancy team, and get the ball rolling!